• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.20-33
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• 2020

Objective: The differences between type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T1DM and T2DM) in terms of their adverse effects on male reproductive parameters have never been elucidated. This study aimed to distinguish between the effects of the DM types in mice treated with multiple low doses of streptozotocin (STZ) to mimic human T1DM and coadministered a high-fat diet (HFD) to mimic human T2DM. Methods: The T1DM mice were intraperitoneally injected with STZ (40 mg/kg body weight) for 5 days. The T2DM mice received an HFD for 14 days prior to STZ injection (85 mg/kg body weight), followed by continuous feeding of an HFD. Male reproductive parameters were evaluated. Results: The reproductive organs of the DM mice weighed significantly less than those of controls, and the seminal vesicles plus prostates of the T1DM mice weighed less than those of the T2DM mice. Increased sperm abnormalities and incomplete DNA packaging were observed in the DM groups. Sperm concentration and the proportion of normal sperm were significantly lower in the T1DM group. The seminiferous histopathology of DM mice was classified into seven types. The penises of the DM mice were smaller than those of the controls; however, tunica albuginea thickness and the amount of penile collagen fibers were increased in these mice. Round germ cells were abundant in the epididymal lumens of the mice with DM. Conclusion: T1DM adversely affected reproductive parameters to a greater extent than T2DM.

• Journal of the Korea Institute of Information and Communication Engineering
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.510-518
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• 2014

In this study, in order to improve and optimize the performance of the turning mechanism for a fish robot in the fluid, we propose the tail joint trajectories using neural networks to mimic the CST(C-shape Sharp Turn) patterns of a real fish which is optimized in the natural environment. In order to mimic the CST patterns of a fish, we convert the sequential recording CST patterns into the coordinate data, and change the numerical coordinate data into a functions. We change the motion functions to the relative joint angles which is adapted to suit robot's shape and data. However, these relative joint trajectories obtained by the sequential recording of the carp have low-precision. It is difficult to apply to the control of a fish robot. Therefore, the relative joint trajectories are interpolated using neural networks with superior generalization ability and applied to the fish robot. we have found that the proposed method using neural networks is superior to ones using high-order polynomial equation through the computer simulations.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.9 no.7
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• pp.523-528
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• 2015

In this study, we evaluated the heating characteristics of single sonication and superposed two low-intensity ultrasonic sonication. Compare the results, the superposed sonication was showed a superior thermal effect than single sonication. And the maximum temperature was increased as 120-150%. The starting time of temperature rising has been shortened in superposed sonication. In addition, the time up to the maximum temperature has been shortened, too. In generally, as the ultrasonic intensity is higher, the more surface damage is occurred. However, in the case of superposed sonication, the same thermal effect had be confirmed without surface damage. Through the results of the study, we thought that the superposed sonication will be able to reduce the intensity of the ultrasonic treatment. And, by using the low-intensity, the more safe and more effect therapy will be possible in therapeutic ultrasound application.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.580-588
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• 2019

Objective: To evaluate the impact of energy and access methods on extrahepatic tumor spreading and the ablation zone in an ex vivo subcapsular tumor mimic model with a risk of extrahepatic tumor spreading. Materials and Methods: Forty-two tumor-mimics were created in bovine liver blocks by injecting a mixture of iodine contrast material just below the liver capsule. Radiofrequency (RF) ablations were performed using an electrode placed parallel or perpendicular to hepatic surface through the tumor mimic with low- and high-power protocols (groups 1 and 2, respectively). Computed tomography (CT) scans were performed before and after ablation. The presence of contrast leak on the hepatic surface on CT, size of ablation zone, and timing of the first roll-off and popping sound were compared between the groups. Results: With parallel access, one contrast leak in group 1 (1/10, 10%) and nine in group 2 (9/10, 90%) (p < 0.001) were identified on post-ablation CT. With perpendicular access, six contrast leaks were identified in each group (6/11, 54.5%). The first roll-off and popping sound were significantly delayed in group 1 irrespective of the access method (p = 0.002). No statistical difference in the size of the ablation zone of the liver specimen was observed between the two groups (p = 0.247). Conclusion: Low-power RF ablation with parallel access is proposed to be effective and safe from extrahepatic tumor spreading in RF ablation of a solid hepatic tumor in the subcapsular location. Perpendicular placement of an electrode to the capsule is associated with a risk of extrahepatic tumor spreading regardless of the power applied.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers A
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• v.38 no.8
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• pp.823-829
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• 2014

In the present study, simple models were proposed to predict the capillary-driven flow length in a surfactant-added poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) rectangular microchannel. Owing to the hydrophobic nature of PDMS, it is difficult to transport water in a conventional PDMS microchannel by means of the capillary force alone. To overcome this problem, microchannels with a hydrophilic surface were fabricated using surfactant-added PDMS. By measuring the contact angle change on the surfactant-added PDMS surface, the behavior was investigated to establish a simple model. In order to predict the filling length induced by the capillary force, the Washburn equation was modified in the present study. From the investigation, it was found that the initial rate-of-change of the contact angle affected the filling length. Simple models were developed for three representative cases, and these can be useful tools in designing microfluidic manufacturing techniques including MIcroMolding In Capillaries (MIMIC).

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.1785-1787
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• 2016

Granular cell tumor (GCT) of the oral cavity is a benign lesion. Half of oral GCTs demonstrate pseudocarcinomatous hyperplasia (PCH) of the mucosa which can mimic invasive islands of oral squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Such similarity can be confusing when diagnosing or evaluating the two conditions, potentially leading to misdiagnosis or misclassification. Indeed, several misdiagnosed cases of oral GCT have been reported in the literature as OSCC or malignant oral GCT that resulted in unnecessary aggressive treatment for the affected patients. The aim of this study was to investigate if the cytokeratin pattern of the PCH can help in differentiating GCT from oral SCC. To distinguish between these two entities, we examined 12 patient specimens of oral GCT-PCH and oral SCC histologically and via immunohistochemistry (IHC) for CK13, CK17 and P75. The results suggest that the cytokeratin profile of PCH is similar to that of oral SCC. Therefore, consideration of IHC findings for epithelial markers alone may lead to erroneous diagnosis; thus, the presence of the granular tumor underneath the PCH and its immunopositivity for P75 or other neural definition markers can be essential to identify the underlying tumor and exclude oral SCC. Finally we recommend more studies on the molecular biology of PCH to understand how it can mimic oral SCC histologically without harboring its malignant phenotype clinically, which could have significant translational potential for understanding invasive oral SCC.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.78 no.2
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• pp.72-77
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• 2015

Background: Lung cancer is the most lethal type of cancer in the world. Several benign lung diseases may mimic lung carcinoma in its clinical and radiological presentation, which makes the differential diagnosis for granulomatous diseases more relevant in endemic regions like Brazil. This study was designed to describe the prevalence and the diagnostic work-up of benign diseases that mimic primary lung cancer in patients hospitalized at a university hospital from south of Brazil. Methods: This was a transversal study, which evaluated the medical records of 1,056 patients hospitalized for lung cancer treatment from September 2003 to September 2013 at University Hospital of Santa Maria. Results: Eight hundred and four patients underwent invasive procedures for suspected primary lung carcinoma. Primary lung cancer was confirmed in 77.4% of the patients. Benign disease was confirmed in 8% of all patients. Tuberculosis (n=14) and paracoccidioidomycosis (n=9) were the most frequent infectious diseases. The diagnosis of benign diseases was obtained by flexible bronchoscopy in 55.6% of the cases and by thoracotomy in 33.4%. Conclusion: Infectious diseases are the most frequent benign diseases mimicking lung cancer at their initial presentation. Many of these cases could be diagnosed by minimally invasive procedures such as flexible bronchoscopy. Benign diseases should be included in the differential diagnosis during the investigation for primary lung cancer in order to avoid higher cost procedures and mortality.

• The Journal of The Korea Institute of Intelligent Transport Systems
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.265-275
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• 2023

The purpose of this paper is to devise an optimal route allocation algorithm for automated vehicle(AV) in monitoring quality of road infrastructure to support the road safety. The tasks of an AV in this paper include visiting node-links at least once during its operation and checking status of road infrastructure, and coming back to its depot.. In selecting optimal route, its priority goal is visiting the node-links with higher risks while reducing costs caused by operation. To deal with the problem, authors devised reward maximizing algorithm for AVs. To check its validity, the authors developed simple toy network that mimic node-link networks and assigned costs and rewards for each node-link. With the toy network, the reward maximizing algorithm worked well as it visited the node-link with higher risks earlier then chinese postman route algorithm (Eiselt, Gendreau, Laporte, 1995). For further research, the reward maximizing algorithm should be tested its validity in a more complex network that mimic the real-life.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.242-247
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• 2017

Humic acid (HA) is a complex organic matter found in the environments, especially in grassland soils with a high density. The bioactivity of HA to promote plant growth depends largely on its extraction sources. The quality-control of HA and the quality improvements via an artificial synthesis are thus challenging. We recently reported that a polymeric product from fungal laccase-mediated oxidation of catechol and vanillic acid (CAVA) displays a HA-like activity to enhance seed germination and salt stress tolerance in a model plant, Arabidopsis. Here, we examined whether HA or CAVA enhances the growth of Italian ryegrass seedling. Height and fresh weight of the plant with foliar application of HA or CAVA were bigger than those with only water. Interestingly, enhanced root developments were also observed in spite of the foliar treatments of HA or CAVA. Finally, we proved that HA or CAVA promotes the regrowth of Italian ryegrass after cutting. Collectively, CAVA acts as a HA mimic in Italian ryegrass cultivation, and both as a biostimulant enhanced the early growth and regrowth after cutting of Italian ryegrass, which could improve the productivity of forage crops.

• Journal of Korea Society of Industrial Information Systems
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.1-10
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• 2020

In this paper, we propose an algorithm for estimating blood pressure using ECG (Electrocardiogram) and PPG (Photoplethysmography) signals. To estimate the BP (Blood pressure), we generate a periodic input signal, remove the noise according to the differential and threshold methods, and then estimate the systolic and diastolic blood pressures based on the convolutional neural network. We used 49 patient data of 3.1GB in the MIMIC database. As a result, it was found that the prediction error (RMSE) of systolic BP was 5.80mmHg, and the prediction error of diastolic BP was 2.78mmHg. This result confirms that the performance of class A is satisfied with the existing BP monitor evaluation method proposed by the British High Blood Pressure Association.